How to wash the motorbike and clean each component well

In this free guide, discover how to wash your motorbike correctly and have each component as if it were new. At the end of reading you will know:

• How to clean your motorcycle , improve it and finish it safely, just like the professionals do.
• Choose products that can be used along the way and master each process with our simple step-by-step guide.
• Defeat the false and common beliefs about cleaning engines and restoring plastics.

What are the advantages of cleaning the motorbike correctly?

While it's true that some of the fastest and most desirable vehicles on the road have two wheels instead of four, you'll find that many car enthusiasts have a motorcycle stashed in their garage. But what happens when it comes to effective motorcycle detailing ?

In our customer service we are often asked what the differences are in washing a motorbike from a car and how it is possible to clean, improve and protect different parts of the motorbike, without risking causing damage. Furthermore, we think questions like these deserve definitive answers, so allow us to explain how it's done by us professionals:

• Learning how to clean your motorcycle properly helps maintain its value and protect it from mechanical failure.
• Effective detailing makes your bike much easier to maintain in future washes.
• Using the correct products and processes yourself saves time, money and eliminates risks.
• Clean your motorcycle in one step.
• How cleaning a motorbike is different from a car.

Difference between washing a motorbike and a car

When it comes to washing a motorcycle , there are some important considerations to keep in mind. While there are many similarities to car detailing , there are also some differences to consider.

Just like cars, motorcycles can be washed, decontaminated, improved, polished or protected , and then maintained throughout any season. The key here is to simply use caution and common sense during each key step of the process.

There are obviously some subtle differences, the motorcycles have no interior, so their seats and even their instruments are designed to be exposed to the outside , making them likely more durable and able to withstand stronger external cleaning solutions than leather or the padding found inside a car.

During the detailing process, it is essential to use the appropriate products and tools to ensure effective cleaning. Start with a thorough wash using a specific motorcycle cleaner and be sure to remove dirt and residue from all surfaces, including rims, frame, bodywork and accessories. Avoid using harsh detergents that could damage the paint or chrome parts.

After washing, you may need to address any contaminants on the surface of the motorcycle. These may include insects, tree resin or small metal particles. Use a specific decontamination product and follow the instructions carefully to remove these contaminants without damaging the paint.

To improve the shine of the paint and remove minor imperfections, you can consider using a professional polisher or a specific motorcycle polishing product such as aprofessional polish . Work on small sections at a time and use smooth, even movements . Next, be sure to protect the paint by applying a sealant or protective wax or nanotech protectant .

In addition to the paint, it is important to pay attention to other parts of the motorcycle. Metal parts such as exhausts and rims require specific cleaning and protection using special products such as metal polish . Plastic parts, however, can be treated with specific plastic renewal products to clean and protect these surfaces.

When washing your motorcycle , don't forget to also pay attention to other important components such as the tires, frame, headlights and engine components. Use clean tools and microfiber cloths to avoid scratches, and carefully follow the instructions of the products used.

Each motorcycle is unique and may require a customized approach based on its characteristics and condition. Take the time to improve, protect and clean your motorbike, and enjoy the final result of effective detailing that will make it shiny and protected.

Here's how you can do great improvement detailing, along with the main areas to look out for when cleaning any motorcycle and plenty of other tips to help you take your level even higher.

How to wash your motorbike correctly in 9 steps

Step 1: Inspect and Plan

Before starting to wash your motorcycle , it is important to do a detailed inspection and plan the necessary actions. Each motorcycle is unique and may require a customized approach based on its characteristics and current state.

One of the first things to consider is the continuous exposure of the motorcycle parts to atmospheric agents. While this offers some protection to sensitive components such as air filters and electronics, it is still important to be careful when using your pressure washer to avoid damage. Like treating the engine compartment of a car, it is advisable to proceed with caution and consider the presence of exposed components or open filters, especially on older or modified motorcycles.

Before starting detailing your motorbike , take the time to carefully inspect your motorbike and evaluate the work to be done. For example, you may want complete detailing that requires several hours of work, or you may only focus on a few specific areas. It is important to plan how far you want to take the detailing and what results you want to achieve from cleaning the motorcycle , also taking into account the time available to you.

During the inspection, you may notice unique details about your motorcycle. For example, the exhaust design may require special precautions. To prevent water from entering the drain, you may decide to place old work cloths in the pipes , or special plugs, during the water spraying process.

Take the time to carefully evaluate your motorcycle and plan detailing appropriately. This will help you get the best results and take care of your motorcycle in the most effective way.

Step 2: Wheels

When it comes to cleaning a motorcycle, the first step is to focus on the wheels rather than the engine compartment like we would with a car. Motorcycles are lightweight and tend to have less brake dust contamination than other vehicles. If you notice rust stains that require the use of iron remover on your fairings and fenders, they are likely coming from other vehicles on the road.

Considering that motorcycle wheels and brake calipers are often made of chrome plating or have other special finishes, it is advisable to avoid using products for removing ferrous particles (iron removers) that are too aggressive on them, but instead use products for cleaning delicate rims. Instead, with the help of UltraCoat Magic Wheel it will be more than enough to eliminate brake dust and dirt. The product is totally safe to use on any wheel surface .

After a quick rinse to remove any loose contaminants, you can add 2-3 caps of Innovacar S2 Foamy to a bucket of clean water and create a foam with the help of a pressure washer.

Working on one wheel at a time, liberally apply Ultracoat Magic Wheel to the spokes and rims, then use a brush to clean any messy areas around the wheel and brake caliper with Innovacar S2 Foamy Shampoo . This will break down dirt and brake dust from the surfaces and keep everything in the lubricated solution.

As with a car, it is advisable to make a final pass with the Innovacar S2 Foamy shampoo using a dedicated sponge, or washing glove , to ensure that all areas have been adequately treated, before rinsing away all residues and the dirty along with it.

Step 3: Tires

Thorough tire cleaning is extremely important on a sports motorcycle, even more so than on a car. This is not just because both tires are on display most of the time. It's because we don't use tire shine products on the bike (to avoid any compromise in grip when cornering on the sides of the tread), so there's really no way to hide the dirt.

To address this challenge, our tire-specific cleaner, called UltraCoat Magic Wheel , comes into play. Combined with the special brush, Innovacar Tire Brush , it is formulated to break down the heaviest dirt and road grime that accumulates on the tread. It can remove even stubborn, encrusted and yellowed stains quickly and effectively. Application is simple: simply spray the cleaner over the entire tire, scrub vigorously with the brush and rinse for best results.

Step 4: Prewash

Now let's move on to the main part, and as with any vehicle, a thorough preliminary motorcycle wash is essential to remove the most stubborn dirt and coarse debris, thus avoiding creating streaks on painted surfaces and shiny plastics. To achieve the best possible result, it is necessary to use a dedicated pre-wash cleaning agent that is able to break down dirt and allow safe rinsing.

Our favorite product for this step is Ultracoat Buggy Boy , which is powerful enough to remove contamination, yet gentle enough to use on sensitive surfaces. Furthermore, it will not affect any previously applied waxes or coatings.

After having carefully rinsed the entire motorcycle from top to bottom (to ensure that the pre-cleaner acts where it is most needed), we spray Innovacar 100% Degreasing over the entire surface, concentrating on the most contaminated areas, such as the fairings, the tank and frame, let the product act.

It is important to avoid cleaning the chain at this stage, as it is lubricated and excessive degreasing should always be avoided. However, it is possible to get the chain wet or cover it with foam during washing, although it is inevitable that it will get wet.

We apply Innovacar 100% Degreasing generously over the entire affected area and let the product act. It's not time to brush and rinse yet. For extra cleaning, we will use Sp1 PreWash snow foam directly on top .

Step 5: Snow foam

First of all, let's answer the common question: "Can I use Sp1 Prewash foam on a motorcycle?" The answer is yes. Motorcycles are designed to withstand snow during the winter, so using a cleaning foam won't be a problem. Plus, SP1 PreWash 's foam actively infiltrates every little gap and crevice, which is exactly what you want on a motorcycle, as they're much trickier to clean than flat panels on cars.

Use your foam lance to generously apply Sp1 Prewash all over the bike, working from top to bottom and letting the foam work for as long as possible. During the application time, use a brush to cleanse the most intricate areas, focusing on inserting the product into every small space. If you need to add a little more than 100% Degreasing for a more thorough clean while brushing, now is a good time to do it.

Step 6: Degrease and Rinse

It is normal to find more greasy areas on the outside of a motorcycle than a car, for obvious reasons. On intricate parts like gears and engine components, you can spray a little more Sp1 PreWash and brush it to remove the last bits of greasy contaminants, but avoid working directly on the chain.

Once you have thoroughly agitated the dirtiest areas to remove contaminants from the surfaces, proceed to rinse the entire motorcycle. Take care of this phase, as the heaviest dirt will be trapped in the Sp1 Prewash and 100% Degreasing solutions. The goal of rinsing is to safely remove dirt from the bike and onto the floor, so make sure you take the time to do this.

Step 7: Washing

Considering this bike is relatively new and has only a few miles on it, we can see during the inspection that a full three-step decontamination is not necessary. Therefore, contact washing will be the last stage of the cleaning process. This does not mean that we cannot decontaminate the painted parts of the motorcycle if necessary. You may be required to use Iron remover to remove embedded metal particles and tar remover for sticky residue, and use the Clay Bar in conjunction with DL Lube to remove contaminants such as spray paint and bird droppings. However, these decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis, evaluating the actual need.

As for washing your motorcycle , common rules apply. Use two detailing buckets, one for the wash solution and the other for clean water to rinse the wash mitt between steps. Foaming car cleaner should be your choice to lift and lubricate the last bits of dirt, allowing you to rinse it away. When washing, follow straight lines, start with the least contaminated areas, and when rinsing, be meticulous and make sure to remove all dirt.

Step 8: Drying

To avoid the formation of rings and stains caused by the minerals and impurities present in the rinse water, it is essential to carefully dry a motorcycle , just as you would a car. It is often the water that is left to air dry that can cause a variety of problems. However, drying a motorcycle can be more challenging due to the constant dripping of water from the various cavities around the vehicle.

A detailing professional would commonly use an electric dryer , air blower, or compressed air to remove as much water from the cavities as possible, before moving on to the drying cloth to absorb any remaining drips. However, for those who do not have such equipment, you can still achieve an effective result by using a Profipolish Orange Twister drying cloth . We recommend starting by drying larger surfaces. It is important to repeat this process a few times until all remaining water is removed.

This will prevent unwanted drying marks and give you a clean, stain-free finish on your bike.

Step 9: Enhancement and Protection

At this point in cleaning the motorcycle , it is necessary to make a choice about polishing it. If you want to avoid polishing graphics and badges, you can use a polisher to treat painted tanks and other surfaces. However, it is important to consider that many panels on modern motorcycles are made of plastic, which does not dissipate heat like metal. Therefore, when polishing with the machine, it is advisable to use shorter working sessions to avoid overheating of the plastic parts. It is important to remember that polishing should only be done when necessary to remove holograms and other defects, and not as a routine practice.

Hand polishing is an equally good option. This process is ideal for removing oxidation and slight swirl marks. However, if there are no signs of swirl or obvious defects, you can opt for a finish with Innovacar P1 Polish Up or Rupes Uno Pure and a soft sponge polishing pad . This combination will help remove a light layer of oxidation and prepare the surface for a perfect application of wax or any other protectant.

As always, paint protection is essential for any vehicle and, when detailing a motorcycle, it is important to apply a protective product to every painted panel , including tanks, fairings and panels. Your choice of protection product will depend on your circumstances and personal preferences. If you want a deep, shiny finish, a wax is a great option and offers excellent protection. If the motorbike will be exposed to more difficult conditions during the winter, it may be preferable to opt for protection, such as that offered by our Innovacar SC0 Protection kit . Conversely, if you want quick and easy protection, it may be advisable to use a spray wax such as Ultracoat Ceramic Q Detailer. There are no fixed rules when it comes to product choice, the important thing is to always protect the paint, whether it is a simple improvement or a complete correction. The beauty of detail lies in the ability to customize the work based on the specific needs of the project.